Washing machine



H. PLETSCH WASHING MACHINE Filed March 11 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 @ct. as, 1924. 1,513,003

H. PLETSCH WASHING MACHINE Filed March 11, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Get. 28, 1924. 1,513,603

H. PLETSCH WASHING MACHINE Filed March 11, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 -MI 1 I enry S 1 Q-mmm B UWEF v l,5l3,003 FHQE.

HENRY PLETSCH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN WASHING MACHINE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, CORPORATION.

WASHING MACHINE? Application filed March 11, 1922. Serial No. 542,912.

1 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY Pmrrsou, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing Machines, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to a washing machine of the type in which the washing is effected by oscillating or rocking the clothes receptacle or tub, and relates particularly to mechanism for interrupting the operation of the tub or receptacle, so that it comes to rest at a certain predetermined po- 5 sition.

It is customary to provide the tub or receptacle with a covered opening at the top whereby access is had to the interior, and it is desirable that this opening should occupy 20 the same position whenever the tub is stopped. Usually, with the present machines the oscillation of tub is interrupted by merely disengaging a driving connection and there is no certainty as to the position in which the tub will come to rest. Gonsequently the opening in the top of the tub is frequently improperly impositioned and it is necessary to adjust the tub by hand so that the opening is at the proper location.

The principal objects of my invention are to stop the tub in a certain predetermined position; to regulate the disconnecting of the tub operating mechanism so that the tub will always stop at the same position; 'to control the disconnecting of the tub operating mechanism by the tub itself; to provide cushioning means for arresting the movement of the tub when the driving mechanism is disconnected; and in general, to provide a simple and effective mechanism which is conveniently controlled by the operator for insuring the stopping and holding of the tub in the preferred posltion of inoperatlon.

On the drawings Fig. 1 is an end View of the tub with the supporting frame and portions of the operating mechanism shown in section;

Fig. 2 an enlarged fragmentary view of the interrupting mechanism on the line 22 of Fig. 1 with parts broken away to disclose details of construction Fig. 3 a similar view showing the interrupting mechanism in the inoperative position;

Fig. 4: a top View of the cam and trip member which co-operate to disconnect the tub operating mechanism;

Fig. 5 a sectional View on the line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 a similar View showing the trip member disengaged from the stopping cam;

Fig. 7 a sectional view on the line 77 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 a sectional view Fig. 2; and

Fig. 9 a sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates the clothes receptacle or tub which is somewhat elliptical 1n longitudinal section and has stub shafts 2 and 3 in axial alignment and extending outwardly from the opposite sides respectively of the tub, and pivotally engaged in bearings 4 and 5 respectively of the standards 6 and 7, which latter are connected together by cross members 8 so as to afford a substantial supporting frame for the tub.

A bell crank 9 is pivoted on the stub shaft 3 between the bearing 5 and the tub, and has one arm extending laterally and downwardly as shown in Fig. 3 and pivotally connected at its outer end with the connecting rod 10, which latter has an eccentric strap 11 at the'lower end embracing an eccentric 12 on the drive shaft 13.

The other arm of the crank 9 extends upwardly and is pivotally connected at the upper end to the lower head 14 of the spring structure 15 which has the upper head 16 attached to the side of the tub near the top. The spring structure 15 consists of one or more springs which are stretched at a tension between the heads 14 and 16 so that the tub is yieldingly compelled to oscillate with the crank 9, and I prefer to have the spring structure arranged so that the tension of the springs may be regulated, this being accomplished in the illustrated structure by providing the upper head 16 with a threaded stem 17 which is passed up through an aperture in the top wall 18 of the spring housing 19 and has a nut or hand wheel 20 engaged on the upper end.

This spring structure serves to avoid strain on the tub and driving mechanism which would occur if the crank 9 were rigidly connected With the tub, particularly in reversing the oscillating movement of the tub at each end of its swing, Furthermore on the line 88 of I provide one or more springs 21 which extend between and are pivoted to the tub 1 at 22 and tea remote portion of the supporting frame as at 23,. so as to exert a gradually increasing tension as the tub swings at either side of the center of 05011- lati-on, and thus serve to facilitate reversal and afford an easy rocking movement of the tub.

The drive shaft 13 which is operated in any convenient manner has the eccentric 12 loosely mounted thereon and provided with clutch teeth or lugs 24 on one side, which are adapted to be enga ed by a clutch member 25 keyed at 26 to s ide on the shaft 13 for controlling the operation of the tub. Tins clutch is operated by a bent lever 27 which is pivoted at 28 to a suitable bracket 29 on the supporting frame of the machine and has the outturned end connected by a link 30 to a bell crank 31 which is operable by a shifter rod 32 to adjust the clutch to and from engagement with the eccentric 12.

The tub 1 is formed with a flat top, having an opening 33 therein to afi'ord access to the interior of the tub, and a cover 34. is provided for the opening and adapted to be secured in place by clamps 35 or other suitable fasteners. Wherever the clutch 25 is disengaged from the eccentric 12 to interrupt the operation of the tub, it is important that the tub should always come to rest in a certain position with the top of the tub level and the opening 33 properly accessible, and for this purpose I have arranged the shifter rod 32 to cooperate with the tub so as to release the clutch at the proper time and insure a positive stopping of the tub at the desired position.

The shifter rod 32 is preferably polygonal in section and mounted in the bearings 36 and 37 respectively of the depending legs 38 and 39 of the bracket 40. The bracket 40 is secured to the inner face of the upper web portion of the side standard 7 so that the rod 32 extends horizontally along the side of the tub 1, and a handle 41 on the rod 32 projects beyond the side standard 7 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 so as to be conveniently accessible for manual operation of the shifter rod.

The shifter rod 32 is movable axially to control the adjustment of the clutch 25 and is also adapted to turn in the bearings 36 and 37 for the purpose of setting the shifter mechanism in the operative or inoperative positions, and to permit the required turning of the rod 32, the end thereof to which the bell crank 31 is connected is rounded and provided with a collar 42 loosely held thereon by a pair of fixed collars 43, and this collar 42 has laterally projecting pins 44 which engage in slots 45 in the bifurcated upper end of the arm 46 of the bell crank 3.

A cam 47 is slidably mounted on the with the opposite faces of the cam to resiliently hold the shifter rod at either extremity of its turning movement. A spring 49 is coiled around the rod 32 and confined between the outer side of the cam 47 and a stationary collar or ring 50 on the rod 32 so as to exert a tension for holding the cam 47 against the bracket leg 38, and also for shifting and resiliently holding the shifter rod in the position shown in Fig. 3, wherein the clutch 25 is engaged with the eccentric 12. There is a sleeve 51 fixed on the rod 32 and provided with a notch 52 at one side, forming a shoulder 53, which, when the shifter rod is turned to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 5, is adapted to be engaged by the sprin pressed plunger 54 on the bracket 40 for holding the shifter rod against the tension of the compressed spring 49 in the position shown in Fig. 2, in which position the clutch 25 is disengaged from the eccentric 12. The sleeve 51 is fixed on the rod 32 inany suitable manner, as for example, it may be keyed at 55 on a reduced portion of the rod and clamped against the shoulder 56 by a nut 57 which is threaded on the rod 32, and the notch 52 is of segmental form as shown in Fig. 8, so that when the rod 32 is turned from the position shown in Figs. 2 and 5 to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the plunger 54 is disengaged from the shoulder 53 and permits the spring 49 to relax and operate the shifter rod 32 so as to re-engage the clutch.

Slidably mounted on the shifter rod 32 between the sleeve 51 and bracket le 38 is a trip member 58 which, fits the po ygonal form of the rod 32 so as to turn therewith, and this trip memberhas a radially extending trip arm 59 which is adapted to be turned down into the path of a cam 60 on the side of the tub 1. This cam 60 is preferably formed as a part of a side cover plate 61 of the spring housing 19, and is composed of flange portions 62 and 63, which have their inner ends at different elevations so as to form a stop shoulder 64 at the side of the notch 65 in the inner end of the flange portion 63, said notch being of suitable size to admit the inner end of the trip arm 59 therein. The flange portions 62 and 63 are inclined or curved downwardly from the stop'shoulder 64, as shown, so that the trip arm 59, if turned down to the horizontal position shown in Figs. 2 and 6, is directed upon unto the cam 60 as the latter swings with the tub in either direction of he latters oscillation, the engagement of the spring pressed plunger 48 against the cam 47 serving at such time to yieldingly hold'the outer end of the trip arm 59 down against the cam 60 and permit the necessary lifting of the outer end of the triparm and corresponding movement of the shifter rod 32.

The elevation of the inner end of the flange portion 62 above the inner end of the flange portion 63 is sufiicient to elevate the outer end of the trip arm 59 as the tub is oscillated in the direction indicated by the arrow 75 so that the cam 60 passes with out interference under the trip arm 59, the latter being jumped over the notch 65, the proper clearance being further assured by beveling the lower face of the trip arm 59 as shown at 66, so that as the trip arm 59 leaves the upper end of the flange 62 the front edge of the trip arm 59 is high enough above the edge of the notch to avoid any possibility of the trip arm catching in the notch.

When however, the tub oscillates in the direction indicated by the arrow 67, the trip arm 59 rides up on the flange 63 and is engaged by the advancing stop face 64 and shifted by the momentum of the tub in the direction of movement required by the shifter rod 32 to disengage the clutch and the pressure of the spring plunger 48 against the cam 47 causes the trip arm 59 to settle" down into the notch 65 and interlock the trip member 58 and cam 60.

The trip member 58, as previously stated, is mounted to slide axially on the shifter rod 32 and is interposed between a pair of springs 68 and 69, the former of which engages at its outer end against the collar 51, which is fixed on the rod 32, and the other of which engages at its outer end against a collar or ring 70, which is fixed on the shifter rod 32. The trip member 58, therefore, as it is impelled axially on the rod 32 by the engagement of the stop face 64 there with acts through the spring 68 to impel the sleeve 51 and shifter rod 32 axially in the direct-ion to release the clutch 25 from engagement with the eccentric 12 and coinpresses the spring 49, and as the notch 52 of the sleeve 51 faces upwardly as shown in Figs. 2 and 8, the spring pressed plunger 54 is forced down into the notch 52 and locks the shifter rod 32 in the position shown in Fig. 2, wherein the clutch 25 is disengaged and held in disengaged position.

The spring 68 serves to cushion the impact ofthe cam 60 on the clutch shifting mechanism and interrupt the oscillation of the tub without imposing undue strain upon.

the tub or the clutch shifting mechanism, Whereas the spring 69 serves to cushion the rebound ,or back lash of the tub which is occasioned by the relaxation of the spring 68 and also by' the back throw of the contents of the tub which results from the sudden stopping of the tub.

The springs 68 and 69 are preferably sufficiently loose on the rod 32 to afford some play of the trip member 58 between the inner ends of the springs, but confine the trip member sufiiciently so that when the cam 60 is interlocked therewith, the tub is held in an upright position with the opening 33 at the desired location to afford convenient access to the interior of the tub.

To re-engage the clutch 25 with the eccentric 12 for operating the tub, the shifter rod 32 is turned by means of the handle 41 to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 6, which operation lifts the trip arm 59 from engagement with the cam 60 and at the same time rotates the sleeve 51 so that the notch 52 is removed from engagement with the spring pressed plunger 54, whereupon the spring 49 which is placed under tension by the disengagement of the clutch, acts to move the shifter rod 32 axially to the position shown in Fig. 3 and re-engage the clutch 24 with the eccentric 12.

In turning the shaft 32 as indicated, the cam 47 is moved to the opposite side of the spring pressed plunger 48 so that the latter seryes to hold the shifter rod 32 at the limit of its turning movement with the trip arm 59 thrown up'against the bracket 40, as shown in Fig. 6. An oppositely extending lug 59 limits the turning movement in the opposite direction. I prefer to form the cam 47 with a recess 70, having an angular bearing face to engage a pin 71 on the outer side of the bracket leg 38, which as the shifter rod 32 is rotated to the released position, forces the cam 47 laterally away from the bracket leg 38, and serves to follow up the spring 47 andinsure suificient axial movement of the shifter rod 32, so that the clutch 25 is fully engaged with the clutch lugs 24 of the eccentric 12.

As a further means to insure complete engagement and disengagement of the clutch 25 and to hold the latter in either position of its adjustment, the clutch lever 27 has a projection 72 at the side with oppositely inclined faces co-operating with the spring pressed plunger 73, so that the latter. tends to throw and hold the clutch shifting lever 27 at either extremity of its pivotal movement.

From the foregoing it will be observed that I have provided means which insures the stopping of the tub at all times in the same position and avoids the necessity of adjusting the tub after it is stopped to bring the opening 33 to the required position, and that furthermore, I have constructed this device so as to relieve the tub and clutch shifting mechanism of strain which would ordinarily be occasioned by the abrupt stopping of the oscillation of the tub.

&

\Vhile I- have shown and described my invention in a preferred form I am aware that various changes and modifications may made without departing from the principles of my invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: I 1. In a Washing machine, the combination of a receptacle, mechanism for imparting a reciprocatory movement to the receptacle, and controlling means for said mechanism comprising a cushioning device adapted to coact with a part on the receptacle for stopping the latter at a predetermined position.

2. In a washing machine, the combination of a receptacle, mechanism for imparting a reciprocatory movement to the receptacle, a clutch for controlling the operation of the receptacle by said mechanism, and resilient means operable to release the clutch and stop the tub at a predetermined position.

3. In a washing machine, the, combination of a receptacle, mechanism for imparting a reciprocatory movement to the receptacle, a clutch for controlling the operation of re ceptacle by said mechanism, and a shifter operated by the reciprocatory movement of the tub for releasing the clutch.

4. In a washing machine, the combination of a receptacle, mechanism for imparting a reciprocatory movement to the receptacle, a clutch for controlling the operation of the receptacle by said mechanism, and means acting at a selected point of oscillation of the latter to disengage the clutch so as to stop the tub in a predetermined position.

5. In a washing machine, the combination of a receptacle, means for imparting a reciprocatory movement .to the receptacle, a clutch for controlling the operation of the receptacle by said mechanism, and means adjustable to and from a position wherein the operation of the receptacle controls the release of the clutch.

6. In a Washing machine, the combination of a receptacle, mechanism for imparting a reciprocatory movement to the receptacle, a clutch for controlling the operation of the receptacle by said mechanism, a clutch shifter, and means adapted to be optionally adjusted to afford a connection between the receptacle and the shifter for releasing the clutch.

7. In a washing machine, the combination of a receptacle, mechanism for imparting a reciprocatory movement to the receptacle, a clutch for controlling the operation of the receptacle by said mechanism, a clutch shifter, a projection on the receptacle, and means on the shifter adjustable to and from the path of said projection to afford a connection bet-ween the receptacle and shifter for operating the shifter to release the clutch.

, 8. In a washing machine, the combinatlon of a receptacle, mechamsm for lmpartwing a reciprocatory movement to the recepmechanism therefor, of two members adapted, in operative relation, to interlock at a selected point in the oscillation of the receptacle to arrest and hold the latter against movement in opposite directions, spring means associated with said members for yieldingly arresting the movement of the receptacle, and a shifter for manually stopping and starting said mechanism and for throwing said members into and out of operative relation.

10. In a washing machine, the combination of a receptacle, mechanism for imparting a reciprocatory movement to the recep tacle, a clutch for controlling the operation of the receptacle by said mechanism, a clutch shifter adjacent the receptacle, and means on the receptacle adapted to engage the shifter as the receptacle reciprocates in one direction and release the clutch and ineffective to release the clutch as the receptacle reciprocates in the reverse direction.

11. In a washing machine, the combination of an oscillatable receptacle, mechanism for oscillating the receptacle, a shifter rod mounted adjacent the receptacle, a clutch operated by axial movement of the shifter rod for controlling the oscillation of the receptacle by said mechanism, and means operable'by turning movement of the shifter rod to afford a connection between the shifter rod and receptacle for operating the former by the latter so as to release the clutch.

12. In a washing machine, the combination of an oscillatable receptacle, mechanism for oscillating the receptacle, a shifter rod mounted adjacent the receptacle, a clutch operated by axial movement of the shifter rod for controlling the oscillation of the receptacle by said mechanism, trip mechanism adjustable by turning movement of the shifter rod to afford a connection between the shifter rod and receptacle for operating the former by the latter so as to release the clutch, and means for yieldingly holding the shifter rod at each extremity of its turning movement.

13. In a washing machine, the combination with apivotally mounted tub and driving mechanism for oscillating the same, of a shifter for controlling said driving mechanism, co-operating stop members connected respectively to said shifter and said tub and adapted to throw said drive mechanism out of operation and arrest said tub in a predetermined position, and manually operable means for throwing said stop members into and out of operative relation.

14. In a washing machine, an oscillating tub, drive-mechanism therefor, a controlling clutch, a shifter spring-actuated to close said clutch, coacting latch members for holding said clutch open, stop members connected respectively to said shifter and said tub and adapted to co-operate upon the movement of the tub in one direction-to arrest the latter and throw said drive mechanism out of operation, and means operable at will for throwing said latch and stop members into and out of operative relation.

15. In a washing machine, the combination of a receptacle, driving mechanism for reciprocating the receptacle, and means for interrupting the operation of the receptacle when the latter is in a predetermined position, said means comprising a cushioning device for yieldingly opposing reciprocation of the receptacle in both directions.

16. In a washing machine, the combination of a receptacle, driving mechanism for reciprocating the receptacle, resilient means arranged to afford a radually increasing resistance to the operation of the receptacle as the latter is moved from a position intermediate the limits of its reciprocatory movement, and controlling means for the driving mechanism adapted to automatically interrupt the operation of the receptacle when the latter is in the aforesaid position.

17. In a Washing machine, the combination of a receptacle, driving mechanism for reciprocating the receptacle, a clutch for controlling the driving mechanism, a clutch shifter for operating the clutch, resilient means operable to impel the clutch shifter to each extremity of its shifting movement, cushioning means for yieldingly arresting the movement of the receptacle in a predetermined position, and connections co-operating with the cushioning means so as to adjust the clutch shifter to release the clutch.

HENRY PLETSCH. 

